This is tough!!

[GodIsADeeJay81]

As someone who rarely drinks, Dry January is quite easy to do

Just don't spend time over thinking about it and eventually you'll just get out of the habit of drinking and carry on for longer than just January.

[Anonymous Claret]

Alcohol is 1 of the most dangerous and harmful drugs on earth. I think there is a reasonable argument that it could be the most harmful and dangerous for some people. If it was discovered today it would be a Class A drug without a shadow of a doubt. It affects every major organ in the body and that is even before we start looking at the societal problems such as domestic violence, sexual assaults, homicides, GBH etc. How many sick days are lost in employment through people feeling rough on a Monday morning etc.? How many people are in hospital with alcohol related illnesses such as liver failure? How many people will die directly or indirectly through alcohol each year?
For most people alcohol is not a problem and they can control their consumption but for a large minority it is a serious problem. I am in my 50's and I am starting to hear more about the friends that I grew up who continued with their heavy drinking lifestyles who have passed away with alcohol related illnesses.
It takes a lot of courage and humility for someone to admit that they have or may have a problem with alcohol, so to the folks who are coming out with the blasé comments, please try and a show a little compassion for your fellow clarets who may be struggling with their alcohol use.

[JohnMac]

I rarely have a desire for alcohol nowadays, still enjoy a social occasion though but not if it involves drinking for the sake of it.

I don't drink in my house, or anyone else's, I confine it to the pub or social club.

I wish those with a need to do this the best of success. Should you fail, you may need some professional help.

[morpheus2]

Alcohol is 1 of the most dangerous and harmful drugs on earth. I think there is a reasonable argument that it could be the most harmful and dangerous for some people. If it was discovered today it would be a Class A drug without a shadow of a doubt. It affects every major organ in the body and that is even before we start looking at the societal problems such as domestic violence, sexual assaults, homicides, GBH etc. How many sick days are lost in employment through people feeling rough on a Monday morning etc.? How many people are in hospital with alcohol related illnesses such as liver failure? How many people will die directly or indirectly through alcohol each year?
For most people alcohol is not a problem and they can control their consumption but for a large minority it is a serious problem. I am in my 50's and I am starting to hear more about the friends that I grew up who continued with their heavy drinking lifestyles who have passed away with alcohol related illnesses.
It takes a lot of courage and humility for someone to admit that they have or may have a problem with alcohol, so to the folks who are coming out with the blasé comments, please try and a show a little compassion for your fellow clarets who may be struggling with their alcohol use.

Very true statement! Nobody could realistically take the stand and deny the correlation between the misuse of alcohol and domestic violence and the other societal problems you list.
I have lost a handful of friends to the misuse of illegal drugs, and a skipful to the misuse of alcohol. I'm pleased (for myself and children) that I am able to restrict myself to the odd Baileys at christmas these days, or I believe I would have been joining or would have already joined my friends in that skip.

[Quicknick]

I went two years, three months and a bit with no beer, then I had three quick bottles in Bangkok airport. Had to stop after the third, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to negotiate the airport, I felt that p1ssed.

[Croydon Claret]

I'm not packing because of Dry January but decided a few months ago to only have 1 drink a month. I was downing 2 or 3 bottles of wine a week and it was neither good for my waistline nor my general health.

Was doing ok until Christmas but I'm back on the wagon again and will manage fine for the next couple of weeks. Then I'll go banzai with my one bottle of plonk

[Ampth7]

Anyone else doing or trying to do dry January?

No

[Raconteur]

Anyone even considering giving up booze , likely has a problem. Always found tea totallers a bit odd but no issue with reformed alchys . Personally I love drinking , usually in moderation , occasionally to excess. I just find life more enjoyable with booze.
Cheers!

What a horrible take! This has to be a joke. So for example someone who was brought up in abusive surroundings due to alcohol decides to never touch the stuff after seeing what distruction it can cause would be odd to you. Or someone seeing a parent die due to alcoholism being tee total would be odd to you.

Like i said. Horrible take!

[1882Clarets1882]

"I feel sorry for people who don't drink. When they wake up in the morning, that's as good as they're going to feel all day."

Dean Martin

[Twistedbyknaves]

Good luck with it.
The non-alcohol beers have really improved lately. I gave up completely and permanently in August after one hangover too many, and too many times having alcohol to try and reduce the stresses of the week. I’ve found since giving up that I can handle the stress of work better. Less anxiety and feeling low. I still go to the pub but just have the 0% stuff and now really don’t feel like I’m missing out.

Stay strong and you’ll start to see the benefits, even if it’s just for January.

[Dy1geo]

When some on here have lost a family member due to the effects of being alcohol dependent like I did they might not be as flippant in their answers. My brother who was an alcoholic lost his job years ago because he unlike others couldn’t function when under the influence and sadly he then went on a downward spiral and ultimately died aged 56.

I am not preaching as I like a drink when I am out and classify myself as a social drinker like many others but there are many in denial about their dependency to alcohol.

To the original poster hope that you achieve the full dry January

[Bowclaret]

I’m doing it and admittedly I am struggling. I’ve drunk at least two glasses of wine a night for the last 6 or 7 years. I’ve had the lot over the last week, sickness, the shakes, headaches etc. BUT, big challenge is it’s my birthday today. I’ve just had the family around and not touched a drop and neither did they. One day at a time

[Sproggy]

I just made beef in beer. Am I a bad person?

[AlargeClaret]

What a horrible take! This has to be a joke. So for example someone who was brought up in abusive surroundings due to alcohol decides to never touch the stuff after seeing what distruction it can cause would be odd to you. Or someone seeing a parent die due to alcoholism being tee total would be odd to you.

Like i said. Horrible take!

Au contraire

My father was a pitiful violent alcoholic. I’ll spare you my first 11years though . It’s about personal choice and self moderation . Deciding not to do something because a friend /relative couldn’t control themselves is a personal choice of self denial. If it works for you then good for you , but judging others to having a “ horrible take” comes across as selfish po faced and righteous. Just my take .
Enjoy your evening .

[Burnley1989]

I’m doing it and admittedly I am struggling. I’ve drunk at least two glasses of wine a night for the last 6 or 7 years. I’ve had the lot over the last week, sickness, the shakes, headaches etc. BUT, big challenge is it’s my birthday today. I’ve just had the family around and not touched a drop and neither did they. One day at a time

Keep going! You’ll be buzzing with how well you’ve done in 2-3 weeks

[fatboy47]

I just made beef in beer. Am I a bad person?

Nope, but I prefer it without tbh.

[Bowclaret]

Cheers Burnley1989

Maybe a few of us should check in at the end of the month to see how we are all doing !

Dare I say it ! I feel a little better today - 8 days and counting

[Bosscat]

Nope, but I prefer it without tbh.

Is that Beer without Beef fb47 or Beef without Beer

[Ptangyangkipperbang]

I have had my say on this topic on the many threads over the past few years so good luck to anyone staying dry this month you will certainly feel the benefit of not drinking for a few weeks and it's a fact that most people who do dry Jan. Usually end up drinking less than they did before

[fatboy47]

Is that Beer without Beef fb47 or Beef without Beer

Both ways. Really good beef doesn't need disguising with beer. And vice versa.

[bfcjg]

https://uk.yahoo.com/news/pub-under-pre ... 39692.html
Hope the dry January group in this area get used to thirsty February.

[Ptangyangkipperbang]

How did those not drinking for a month do?

[Terrier]

Did it.
No excuses but I grew up drinking mainly around Accrington Rd late 70s, early 80s and there was a culture of heavy drinking, something I have calmed as I have got older mainly due to most of my old pubs shutting and many friends not going out as much.
Not the 1st time I have tried dry Jan but feel in the end this time was the easiest but roll on Saturday night !!

[Croydon Claret]

I had my usual drink on the week of pay day achieved what I wanted to achieve i.e. cutting down significantly.

Next month not looking too good as going to Argentina and the temptation of trying the local Malbecs may be too strong

[chipbutty]

Nope. Zero interest in made up blurb.

Well don't comment on it then, arsewipe. P.S. the arsewipe bit was made up blurb.

[chipbutty]

Just don’t have alcohol in the house, if there’s occasions you would drink fill that time with another hobby. Find some exciting soft drinks. It’s easier than you think.

It's not though, is it?

[chipbutty]

Terrier comes on here, he's like, "doing dry Jan, it's tough, anyone else?" which is code for, 'come on lads, let's be having some chat and mutual encouragement', and everyone is like:

No
No
Nope, not me
Nup, loada shite
Pi$$head
Weird
No, not me
Daft trend, load of b0llocks
Jack it it, not needed

Well done everyone. If the bloke hadn't caved before reading the replies, I'm fairly certain it's been totally sabotaged now.

Correct.
This forum / message board is FULL of self righteous, hypocritical knobheads.

[box_of_frogs]

Well don't comment on it then, arsewipe. P.S. the arsewipe bit was made up blurb.

I’m calling the woke police on you.

[chipbutty]

As someone who rarely drinks, Dry January is quite easy to do

Just don't spend time over thinking about it and eventually you'll just get out of the habit of drinking and carry on for longer than just January.

If someone tells you to not go onTurf in January, thern follow their advice for the rest of season!

[Rowls]

Nope, but I prefer it without tbh.

Stewing steak cuts (brisket, Chuck, blade etc) make wonderful stew or pie filling when cooked in a light ale.

You need a liquid to cook them in. You can use stock (or water) but adding a little extra with a ale can be sumptuous.

The french have their boeuf bourguignon and we’ve got “steak and ale” - they’re close cousins and equally delicious when they’re done right.

[Rowls]

… and don’t neglect pork in cider either.

[Bosscat]

Both ways. Really good beef doesn't need disguising with beer. And vice versa.

The excellent "Beef in Ale" Pie in our local pub is lovely ... no disguising at all just bloody good wholesome pub grub

[Bosscat]

… and don’t neglect pork in cider either.

Had that Friday evening Rowls mmmmmm

[whentheballmoves]

I decided to do a "drier" January, as over Christmas and New Year I had drunk more than normal for me.
I think if "dry January" helps people to think about what they're drinking and if it's good for them, then that's a positive thing?

[strayclaret]

Yes, another try to get out of my alcohol issues. Today was the first big test.
Tempted this morning 8am when buying my paper to get a secret red.
Didn’t and feel better for it

Well finished 29 out of 31 dry. Disappointed should have been 31/31, but old problems reoccurred and I didn’t think before drink.
But has served as a springboard board for the rest of the year.
Next challenge 12.30 Saturday. Home alone, but have invited a low drinking Wanderes fan around, so will try not to be an ale can